Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 29, 2015

In late October, Jacksonville public officials trumpeted Google considering Jacksonville for Google Fiber implementation. In the past two months, meetings between public officials and Google representatives have laid out terms, point by point, and a review of city emails reveals a potential sticking point: the pole attachment agreement. Paul Cosgrave, PIO for JEA, lays out […]

Melissa RossDecember 29, 2015

The North and Central Florida nonprofit Ability Housing has received a $150,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to support The Solution That Saves, a statewide pilot providing Florida-specific data on the effects of providing permanent supportive housing to high users of crisis services. Examples of that include arrests and/or involuntary commitment to mental health facilities. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 28, 2015

Capital is a finite thing in municipal budgets, and to that end an evaluation matrix for capital investments is floating around Jacksonville’s executive branch. What this will do, in its final form: codify a disciplined approach to capital investment, one rooted in ROI. The seven-page document from Kirk Wendland of the Office of Economic Development offers […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 28, 2015

Internal city of Jacksonville emails reveal that the Candy Apple Café, located across the street from City Hall, seeks to bag parking meters during peak hours. The issue, says Jennifer Earnest of the café, is one of capacity. “Is there any opportunity that we could bag the meters across from our building to create a space […]

Melissa RossDecember 23, 2015

The messaging war over expanding Jacksonville’s HRO, or human rights ordinance, is heating up as Christmas draws near, with District 3 City Councilman Aaron Bowman the latest to enter the fray Bowman’s email inbox is already drawing hate messages, advocates say, after his piece in support of updating the ordinance to cover LGBT residents appeared […]

Melissa RossDecember 22, 2015

In an e-blast to supporters and media outlets, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality is urging supporters to email City Council members and “urge them to pass this important legislation.” “Equally important, we need to make it clear to Council members that we oppose any attempt to put these basic protections on the ballot,” the message […]

Melissa RossDecember 22, 2015

A Jacksonville woman faces up to five years in federal prison after federal authorities say she placed a Confederate flag on a black co-worker’s desk, then lied about it. The incident occurred just one week after a racially motivated massacre that killed nine people at an historically African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina. U.S Attorney […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 21, 2015

In August 2012, after two different Human Rights Ordinance expansion bills failed in Jacksonville’s City Council, the No votes got a victory lap at First Baptist Church. “These are the council members that stood in the gap for us and represented us with their votes,” the minister said. First Baptist Church, thus far, has avoided […]

Associated PressDecember 21, 2015

A judge in Jacksonville celebrates the holiday season each year by bringing families together through adoption. Circuit Judge David Gooding held his 11th annual adoption celebration on Friday, The Florida Times-Union reported. Gooding approved adoptions for nine families during the event. Gooding said he loves being part of the annual celebration and hopes to encourage […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

The Florida job numbers have been a primary talking point of Gov. Rick Scott, whose office announced adding a million jobs since 2010. Jacksonville has been no exception to the rule, with jobs being added throughout the period, and 16,000 of them over the year in November. Scott said, “I am proud to announce that […]

Tag: Jacksonville

Could Jax Google Fiber deal fall through?

Florida Blue gives Ability Housing $150K to house homeless, study issue

Details emerge about Jacksonville’s proposed capital investment scoring matrix

Candy Apple Cafe wants meters in bags

Councilan’s pro HRO op-ed generates hate mail, positive mail pushback

Email insights: Jax Coalition for Equality asks supporters to email City Council in support of the HRO

Army Corps of Engineers employee in Jax faces prison in Confederate flag incident

First Baptist Church weighs in on “pansexuals,” Jax HRO expansion: referendum would “probably not pass”

Jacksonville judge celebrates the holiday with adoptions

Jacksonville adds 16,000 jobs over last year